The Sheer Sweetness of Squashed Spies: Why I Marvel at God’s Chosen Deception
Okay, friends, let’s talk about something that might seem a little… intense. You know, those moments in the Bible that just make you go "Woah!" For me, lately, it’s been all about the spies in the Old Testament. Specifically, the ones who get, well, *squashed*. I know, I know, it sounds awful, and trust me, I’m not saying I’d ever want to witness something like that, but when I really dig into these stories, I find a profound sweetness in God’s methods.
Take the story of Rahab, for example. You can find it in Joshua chapter two. She hid the Israelite spies, right? She lied to her own people to protect them. Now, some folks might get all hung up on the fact that she lied. But I look at it differently. Rahab’s actions weren't about breaking a simple rule, it was about aligning herself with God’s chosen people. It was about recognizing a higher purpose, even if it meant deception. And the amazing part? God blessed her for it! She and her whole family were saved when Jericho fell (Joshua 6:25). It's this radical commitment, this absolute faith even amidst the seemingly “unjust” act, that I find just so inspiring.
I think about this in my own life all the time. Sometimes, navigating the world feels like walking through a dense fog. I’m often faced with situations where it feels like I have to make a choice – either follow the easy path, the path that everyone expects, or follow God’s whisper, even when it feels… odd. There have been times when I haven’t understood God’s direction, times I've had to take a step into the unknown, and yeah, sometimes I’ve had to do things that looked, from the outside, a little off-kilter.
I remember when I was applying for colleges, I felt this weird urge to apply to one school, way out in the middle of nowhere. Everyone, my friends, my family – they all thought I was crazy. They said it made no sense, it wasn't a "good" school. But I just felt *compelled*, almost like I was being led, like those spies being hidden by Rahab. It wasn’t a logical choice at all, but something in my spirit said “go.” So I did. And you know what? That school was exactly where I needed to be. I met my best friend there, the program was amazing, and it genuinely shaped who I am today. Now, I look back and think, "that was a God-thing," and that seemingly "crazy" decision felt a little like Rahab's lie, a little like the “squashed spies” – necessary steps in a greater plan.
It's like God uses those times that don't make sense to mold us, to shape us into who he needs us to be. I've learned that sometimes the path of faith doesn't always look pretty. Sometimes we are called to do things that feel uncomfortable or even confusing. It’s like Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. God’s ways are so much higher than ours, and when we try to put them in our small little boxes, we can’t appreciate the beauty.
I find comfort in the fact that even when things seem chaotic or even, frankly, *harsh*, God is working behind the scenes for good. I’m not saying I understand it all, not by a long shot. But I trust that just like He did with the spies in Jericho, He is orchestrating everything for a purpose, even when the purpose is a little... “squashed”. It gives me peace to know, that He has a plan, and that even in the chaos, He is in control. It frees me to stop agonizing over the details, and just be faithful.
So, next time you're grappling with a situation that doesn't seem to make sense, I encourage you to lean into God's guidance, even if it seems counterintuitive. Maybe it’s in that uncomfortable place that God is really trying to show you His sweetness, and ultimately, bring you into His larger plan.
What part of your life feels a little “squashed” right now, but might actually be leading you towards something wonderful?